The applications for this range from RFID tags for Identification and tracking through to clothing with circuitry embedded in it. But as the ability to print the circuitry comes ever closer, what will be powering your socks in the coming years?

Blue Spark – Ultra Thin Printed Batteries

Blue Spark Technologies produce printed carbon-zinc batteries, which are small, environmentally friendly and most importantly cheap enough to produce to make them viable. These batteries are also incredibly thin; their standard battery is 750 microns thick (that’s 0.75 of a mm), while their Ultra-Thin series of batteries can go as slim as 500 microns.

The applications for a power source of this nature are boundless, at the moment they’re being used in a lot of RF applications, including one card being used by Sealed Air Corp that monitors and stores temperature data to ensure that food has been produced and stored properly.

As he says in this CNBC Interview Blue Spark Technologies CEO Gary Johnson can see applications for this such as hi tech patient bracelets with stored records, subway or bus passes that display their credit remaining and loyalty cards that track customer information painlessly.

Along with the potential for manifold uses there is the point that these batteries are fairly harmless in the environment. They contain none of the chemicals normally associated with batteries, no mercury or lithium etc. The carbon-zinc chemistry meets all the EU restrictions on hazardous substances and can be safely disposed of.

Konarka - Portable Solar Charging

Ever wanted to have your laptop bag charge your laptop while you went to work? Konarka is working on just such a thing, they produce light weight flexible “Power Plastic” that they hope will become popular as a way to charge up and power personal devices from sunlight.

They envision applications such as a shade umbrella that will power a cooler or a mat that you unroll to charge your cell phones or laptops. Already Neuber a German company is planning to make use of the technology to produce their Energy Sun-bag.

Like any truly great gadget the Powermat is based on science that has a lot of Greek symbols in it while remaining easy to use. The Powermat uses Electromagnetic Induction (which apparently we found out about around 1831 Electromagnetic Induction on Wikipedia ) to charge all your handheld devices without wires…. Sort of.

It’s not entirely wireless, you need to plug in the mats themselves and any device that they don’t make a receiver for needs to use the “powercube”. The powercube comes with mini & micro USB tips standard, though you can get others as you need them. It then sits on the mat, wirelessly, while your PSP for example will be plugged into it via the USB connection. So while not entirely “wireless” it’s probably less hassle than having all those plugs lying around beside your bed for everything you need to charge.

The real appeal of the Powermat comes in when you have a device that comes with a receiver. The receiver allows your device to charge directly from the mat. They’re either a sleeve in the case of the iPhone 3G and iPod touch, a dock for iPods and iPhones or for Blackberry devices a new battery door. The Blackberry door replacement has the least impact on the overall feel of the phone while the dock is pretty much the standard iPod type of dock.

When you’ve got your receiver in place all you need to do is drop the phone down onto the Powermat in the right place and it starts to charge. It gives off a bleep and the LED’s light up (Both of these functions can be switched to either On, Half or Off). One caveat though is that you have to be fairly precise in your positioning of the device over the charging spots on the mat for it to activate properly, though there are magnets in the mat to help you find the sweet spot.
As for the mats you have two choices. There’s the Home & Office mat which is the more stylish option, but doesn’t have the practicality of the Portable Mat. The portable mat folds up into three sections, comes with its own carry case and means that you’ll only have one charger to forget when you travel rather than 5.

The Powermat system isn’t cheap though. The mats are $99 and when you add the price of a couple of the receivers at between $20 and $30 things get expensive fast. That being said though, the system is both innovative and pretty nifty. Anyone who has a coffee table in their bedroom set aside as a shrine to their DS, iPod, iPhones and Blackberry chargers will instantly be able to see the benefits that a system like this can bring. As an added bonus it’s a stylish looking piece of tech in its own right and it actually works!

Check out this show on The Discovery Channel called The Colony. It’s about what it would be like to recolonize the world after a apocalyptic event occurred and left the world abandoned. Watch as they discover how to use batteries to capture power. This is a simple configuration that takes all the energy from the battery bank and pass it into the inverter to convert it to a usable 120V for standard lights and appliances.

The funny thing is that something so simple, generally abundant and accessible becomes a dire need and can soon cause panic when without it. As individuals, we take for granite what we have and forget that it all could be gone one day when we don’t respect our environments. The colonist soon learn to take there resources serious and use them sparingly.

Check out the website at The Colony on Discovery.com

Fortunately alot of e-commerce sites usually use alternative means to process credit cards and will be okay. Paypal and Google Checkout are up and running. Reports show that Authorize.net is partially back up and running.

Authorize.net has set up a twitter account to keep customers up to date. Follow Authorize.net on Twitter

Previously in, Chatting with The Professionals, I stated that I would setup a one on one with with Tony Hsieh and I did. He invited us to come and hang out at a Zappos function to learn about Culture.

Tony was very insightful and inspired many questions that I ended answering myself. For every question I asked, his reply was a question. I felt like I was talking to Yoda. He effectively had me answer my own questions while he was guiding me. After my lesson was done, we started talking to everybody about there position and passion. This really wasn’t hard because so many people came to us to talk with us and find out who we were. Zappos employees are definitely outgoing and fun to hang out with. We had a great night and a lot of drinks… Enjoy the video…

Once a reality I scoffed at and had not interest in, has now become an everyday reality. I had always thought, who would spend there day putting excerpts of there of there lives on a website for others to read. Then I decided to try it for myself to become more socially involved with the customers and individuals that we work with everyday. That’s when I got caught in the Twine of Twitter. Before I go one, Please tweet this blog if you feel kind. I want to add more followers. Follow me on Twitter - @BatteryMan. In turn I will follow you. Thank you!!

So does my previous statement make me a hypocrite?

It definitely sounds that way to me; however, I don’t believe that to be the case. I was misinformed on all of the benefits of using Twitter. It’s has all of the benefits of social networking without the trouble of writing long, thought consuming blogs like this one. By the time I am done it will probably have taken me at least a hour and half to write this from start to end. I type slow and change my mind to much..

What changed my mind?

I subscribed to a number of social network newsletters like SiteProNews and SEO News to help me stay update to date with the latest internet trends. Over the span of my subscriptions I have used a lot of there suggestion and one that I resisted using was Twitter to promote your business and yourself. I also subscribed to Wired magazine that always has great articles of people making significant advances in there fields. Once again, I noticed the mention of Twitter from such influential people like President Obama, Tony Hsieh from Zappos, Steve Jobs and so on. Determined now to build my Twitter community and new people, I have been reaching out with thoughts, information and personality.

Information is next to Godliness!

While the saying “He Who Has the Gold Makes the Rules” still remains true. I believe a new era is upon us and a wise man once said “If knowledge is power, then a god am I!” -The Riddler (Batman Forever). While that was pretty funny what I just said I do believe it to be true. Information of who we are, what we are and will become is the most important factor to growing as an individual and a company. That sounds a little strange so I will explain.

Simply put, if I capture the what people feel, think and want and in turn provided them with a little of that then I have succeeded as a business. Reaching out LISTENING, Responding and Reacting to individuals helps build trust between them and me. In a world of delusions it’s hard to trust people, companies or even a government. Our lives have become engulfed with new technologies but we are still slaves to our 5 senses and primal instinct that ultimately want to be satisfied. I’m not only trying to build a brand but Customer Relationships. Follow me

It wasn’t long ago I set a goal for myself to always keep my mind and heart healthy by maintaining a healthy diet and vigorous exercise regimen…but I’m not the biggest fan of working out. Listening to my iPhone during a workout is a MUST! Heart monitors have also been a popular accessory lately. Now, thanks to the SMHeart Link created by iTMP Technology, I can monitor my heart rate and incorporate my workout data into my iPhone!

Basically, SMHeart link is a wireless bridge device that allows the iPhone or iPod Touch to double as a heart rate monitor and a fitness tracking system. It works by collecting data through sensors (like the ones in workout machines) and then sends it to your iPhone or iPod Touch via Wi-Fi. Best of all, it’s small and compact measuring only 3.5in x 1.5in x 0.5in and weighing in at just 3 ounces so bringing it along with my jog is very convenient.

SMHeart Link works with several heart rate monitors (chest wraps) and also biking sensors to track speed, cadence and power (watts). Compatible equipment is available from companies such as Polar, Garmin, Nike, Reebok, Timex, New Balance and Numetrex. These sensors are sold separately but the large variety of retailers gives you several buying options.

The genius of iTMP Technology is that they have teamed up with New Leaf Fitness and Map My Fitness which allows me to upload the data logged by SMHeart Link wirelessly to my iPhone by using three apps that are now available in the App Store.

1. iRPM - a cardio fitness system and cycling computer that uploads information from the completed workouts to the New Leaf to MapMyFitness.

2. iSpinning - a cardio fitness system that enables you to log your fitness data and cardio exercises that are specially designed for iSpinning® enthusiasts.

3. iNewLeaf - a cardio fitness system and cycling computer that lets users incorporate a NewLeaf metabolic profile to more precisely track and monitor the right workout intensity.

Now I’ll always get the best training for my workouts and it couldn’t get any easier to store my workout data on my iPhone with a simple touch of a button. Not all of these apps are free and the SMHeart Link retails for about $155. For a limited time it is bundled with SMHeart Sleeve, a lightweight case that integrates with the heart monitor chest wrap.

So if you would like to keep your heart and mind healthy, try listening to your heart through your iPhone or iPod Touch!

The Internet is a man made digital universe. It has no beginning and no end. It has proven that it is self evolving with the ability to make nothing into something and reduce the something into nothing. It has no happiness, fears, sympathy or remorse, the internet simply “Is”.

“HUH?”, you say. The internet grows and evolves faster than anything in this world today. It gets smarter, bigger and faster than we can calculate. Knowing this I must seek out the best of the best and challenge them for knowledge so that I may merely keep my head above water gasping at what little air I can. I decided that to do this I would begin to try to get a hold of anyone that has notably made a mark on the folds of history with a significant contribution, idea or theory and interview them via Live Chat, Twitter, Messenger or whatever acceptable social media they desire. I will be posting these from time to time when I am able to.

Live Chat Interview w/ Darren of Zappos.com

I wanted to talk with someone with Zappos to find out if they lived up to the hype with all the buzz about them and how some of their policies work for them. I was very pleased to find out that it was all true and learned some interesting information that will help influence BatteriesInAFlashes’ decisions in the future. Lets see how it went.
Chat posted with permission.

What I learned from Zappos

Price is not the only deciding factor in selling a product. Values set and followed help maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty. Don’t be afraid to be a little abnormal and push the envelope. So you can expect that we will be bringing you friendlier updated policies, a better website experience and fun media, blogs and more.

I still am currently seeking Tony for the one on one about what it takes to be “The Bees Knees”. So what do you say, Tony? Let’s have a sit down for lunch or a cup of coffee.

With Technology taking over in pretty much all aspects of life, its no surprise that books have lost there place in our world today. The enjoyment of curling up to a warm fire with a cup of hot cocoa or glass of wine on a rainy day will soon be a thing of the past. Even the sound of the cracking from the binding of opening a new book and the touch the crisp pages of a book fresh from the press have lost there share of the market. Now I don’t know any statistics at the moment; however, I do know the Kindle, iPod and other eBook readers are becoming more prevalent with a huge market places like Amazon selling eBooks.

I am not opposed to change or technology as long as it is for the better. I had the pleasure of speaking with Monique Tilford, co-author of Your Money or Your Life. We spoke about another project that she is working on but it was a great to find her book on Amazon in an Kindle Edition. Which was a great reminder that because the shift to ebooks has begun that doesn’t mean that the quality of books has diminished. If you wanted to find out more about her book, check out her blog at Your Money Or Your Life.info

So what does this all of this have to BatteriesInAFlash? The Kindle battery has been a very hot seller for us and we have not been able to keep them on the shelves. We have literally sold out of the batteries the same day they arrive. The Kindle 2 has just been released (ironically the battery is unknown to us at the moment) and has been selling out as well.

Although, the Kindle is not alone in the world of eBooks. The iPod Nanos and above have the ability to load eBooks and the iPhone or iTouch have Apps that make eBooks possible and even Sony has the eBook Reader. So with all the options out there where do you stand?

Innovation or Renovation??

Lenmar is in the process of releasing a Universal Charging Station or PowerPort (PPUHUB6). It will be revealed to distributors and guests of the Las Vegas 2009 CES Show which is slated to win a CES 2009 Innovation Award, but does it deserve it?

The picture and spec sheet are all I have to work with in reviewing the PPUHUB6 and it appears to be a powered USB hub multiplied. Although not an entirely new concept, it is a better way to charge your devices. It will eliminate the need to find multiple power outlets to charge your cell phone, iPod, PSP and other USB toys.

What Does It Do?

Simply take your compatible cellphone, pda, iPhone/iPod or any USB device and plug them in simultaneously to charge. You can charge up to 6 devices at one time;
and of course, charging time will vary for each device. There is also a handy storage built into it for your tips so that you do not lose them.

What Can I Power With It?

The PowerPort comes ready to charge any USB chargeable device. It also come with tips to charge select Motorola, Blackberry, Samsung and LG cell phones. As an added bonus there is a tip to charge you iPhone, iPod and iPod Touch. If you a Lenmar product user you are probably familiar with their Portable Power line which allows you to charge your devices on the go. Now you will be able to charge them as well as your phones and iPods. There are also other tips you can buy to add to it if your plug is not in the set provided.

Will I Use It?

Even though I said that it not truly a new idea it still is a stellar idea that I can use to help me free myself from 9 AC chargers for each device I use, and trust me I use a lot of different USB devices. Also it will help me from losing them if they are in one easy to use central location. What are your thoughts on the PowerPort?
Find out more about it at BatteriesInAFlash.com